Parenting - areas of improvement?

[DizzyPhillips]

I don’t know a single parent who doesn’t guiltily think that they could improve their parenting in some way. I hoped a wee chat on this might make some of us (me) feel better, perspective, moral support etc.

I think my big one is that I spend too much time on my phone. This is an area I need to improve. I do engage and play with the kids of course and we go out places etc and they are very well cared for but it’s all too tempting if they are engrossed in a game for example to pick up the phone and message my friends/social media/MN. It’s a source of guilt and I am working on it.

Another area: I need to vary what I cook for them. Feel like cook the same things over and over again.

Anyone else?

Try not to beat yourself up if you can. Being a single parent is tough and when you're home with the kids all day, your phone offers you a social life or someone to talk to- that can't be undervalued as a single parent.

Hm food... I challenge myself to make one new recipe a fortnight- usually on a weekend so I have time and don't feel stressed. I get DD to pick a main and ingredient and then google some recipes and we pick one together, or get a cookbook from the library and get the kids to pick sth out- I suggest a Jamie cookbook as he doesn't use difficult ingredients. But seriously don't beat yourself up- I know I should sleep less at weekend and try not to be so grumpy after work, but when you're tired it feels relentless

I’m the same op. I do a lot with my kids (take them out, reading and Hw, occasional activity and play) but it’s easy for me to pick up my phone and switch off from them. I know there’s nothing wrong with it from time to time but I think I do it too much.
I would like to be more patient too. It seems I’m always in a rush and hurrying them along.
I’d also like to play board games with them too.

I need to be more like DH and DO stuff with them - the fun stuff. All too often, I'll get them to bugger off to the movies, and stay home and do something around the house - or blob out on the laptop!

Trying to more patient .... but the relentless of saying the same thing to my DS, who is now 18 year after year after year just gets me down. The utter mess & untidiness drives me to distraction, I know every one says ‘just ignore his room’ but I hate the thought I am raising an unhelpful man child who will be a useless partner in the future. His Dad (DH) is the absolute opposite & is fully involved in all aspects of running the home so it’s not as though he models himself on his Dad .

I am the same with the computer. I'm not glued to it but I do think I go on it too much and feel guilty when I am that I should be interacting with my DD (especially now its the holidays and usually I am moaning I don't see enough of her because I'm at work!).

Also, the food thing. My DD is an extremely fussy eater and its just too easy to stick to her favourites rather than her having a meltdown and not eating anything!!

Area for improvement: not buying 6 year old DS a bloody Superzing on every other trip to the co-op.

I don't play enough with her. We do lots of things together,but very little actual playing(dolls,lego etc). It sucks and I suck but I hate it. I always say I'll be better, but I just can't. I make it up to her by having a billion playdates(so someone else has to play with her).